US lands bomber at UK air base after warning of surge in strikes on Iran

 

The B-1, which has been used in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq, can carry up to 34 tonnes (5,354st) of weapons and equipment(Image: Reuters)

After Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer approved "defensive" US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases, a US bomber carrying 24 cruise missiles landed in the UK. Sir Keir's initial refusal to allow the United States and Israel to use UK bases in their joint offensive against Iran led to a disagreement with President Donald Trump. After US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Thursday that strikes on Iran were "about to surge dramatically," the massive aircraft arrives. On Friday evening, the 146 feet (44.5 meters) B-1 Lancer made its way to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

Read More Update: Why are UK military bases being used in Iran conflict?

In the Oval Office earlier this week, Trump revealed to journalists that he was "not happy with the UK" regarding the decision, which resulted in US planes "flying many extra hours" to carry out strikes over the weekend. The prime minister stated to MPs that the government "does not believe in regime change from the skies" after approving the use of RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean by the United States. RAF Fairford, located on the border of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, has been used by the US in the past to conduct long-range heavy bombing missions.

 

Sir Keir Starmer granted permission on Sunday for the US to strike defensively against Iranian missile sites(Image: PA MEDIA)

The B-1 bomber weighs 86 tonnes and is the fastest bomber in the US Air Force, according to Boeing, hitting speeds of more than 900mph (1,448.4km/h).

 The US bomber, which goes by the name "the Bone," has sophisticated radar and GPS systems that make it easier to hit targets. It also has electronic jammers, radar warnings, and a decoy system to protect it from enemies. The B1-Lancer, according to military analyst and former British Army officer Justin Crump, is "one of the most significant bombers in the world" and is capable of carrying large bomb loads far and fast if necessary. Crump, the CEO of private intelligence firm Sibylline, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that "shuttling from RAF Fairford is a lot more efficient" and "makes sense" for the US as the commute from the US to Iran and back is lengthy.

 On Saturday, the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel entered its eighth day. Following Trump's declaration that there will be "no deal" with Iran other than "unconditional surrender," explosions rocked Tehran overnight. The United Kingdom has also been criticized for its response to drone attacks on the RAF's Cyprus base in Akrotiri. Downing Street rejected suggestions the government failed to provide enough military assets in the Middle East after the base was hit.

 On Thursday, Sir Keir told reporters that the airbase has always had security measures in place. There were no casualties and the drone strike on the British military base did "minimal damage."

The 146ft (44.5m) B-1 Lancer was pictured arriving at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday(Image: PA Media)

The British warship HMS Dragon - which has air defence capabilities - is being sent to Cyprus but will not sail until next week.

 The Type 45 Destroyer had been earmarked to carry out a different mission - before Sir Keir Starmer confirmed on Tuesday that HMS Dragon would be deployed to the Mediterranean region.

 Separately, it is anticipated that two Wildcat helicopters from the Royal Navy will arrive in Cyprus earlier than the warship. "They need to do more than that, they need to stop the missile sites, you need to go to the source," however, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated in an interview with BBC Breakfast. Badenoch has increased her demands that the government grant the RAF permission to strike Iran's missile launch sites. With the Gulf states, including Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, having been targeted by Iran in the conflict, Sir Keir spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday.

 A Downing Street spokeswoman stated that the prime minister assured the de facto leader of the kingdom that the UK "stood ready to support the defense of the kingdom" in the event of need. The spokeswoman added that the prime minister stated that "additional British fighter jets, helicopters, and a destroyer were being sent to the region." During the past week, the conflict in the Middle East has resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights, stranding many Britons; however, some flights have resumed. At 00:30 GMT on Saturday, a second government-chartered flight carrying UK citizens landed at Gatwick Airport. The flight departed from Oman's capital Muscat on Friday, the Foreign Office confirmed.

 Due to "technical issues," the first flight, which landed at Stansted Airport on Friday morning, was delayed by 24 hours. In addition, the airlines Etihad and Emirates have confirmed that they will continue to operate a limited number of flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to the United Kingdom over the course of the following few days.

Source: BBC